Mitchell Moses to request early leave
One of the bright spots in Eels’ terrible 2024 season has been versatile halfback Mitchell Moses. The 29-year-old was one of the Blues best players in their stunning State of Origin win last month.
Moses signed a three-year deal with Eels in 2023, with a player option for the 2027 and 2028 seasons. After just one year, the player reportedly wants out.
According to Fox League’s James Hooper, Moses now wants an early release from his Eels contract.
“If Mitchell Moses hasn’t already asked Parramatta for a release, I think he does in the very near future,” Hooper said.
“It’s a problem for Jason Ryles,” Hooper continued, “His (Moses’) agent is his cousin Isaac Moses... he also looks after Blaize Talagi, we saw what happened last week. He’s (Talagi) gone to Penrith
“All roads lead to the Sydney Roosters. (Roosters Chairman) Nick Politis is the best deal maker in the business in my view, you look at Cooper Cronk, Sonny Bill Williams. If Uncle Nick (Politis) wants to get a deal done he can.”
Background conversations ongoing
While James Hooper was confident that Roosters could get a deal done for Moses, he pointed out that Sydney Chairman Nick Politis has not reached out to the halfback yet.
“I’m not saying they’ve spoken, I’m not saying he’s (Politis) done anything outside of the rules but I’m reading the tea leaves and speaking to players,” Hooper explained.
According to Hooper, Eels and Roosters players are expecting Moses to move this offseason.
“Everyone is talking about it,” Hooper said, “He’s 29 at the moment, turns 30 in September. It’s not rumours, it’s conversations, conversations that have taken place.”
Agent a stumbling block
On paper, Moses looks like a perfect fit for the Roosters. Joey Manu, Joseph Suaalii, Luke Keary, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Sitili Tupouniua will all leave Sydney at the end of the 2024 NRL season. This leaves Roosters with roster spots to fill and a lot of money to work with.
There are some problems with bringing Moses to the club though. According to Hooper and other reporters, Roosters are not keen on working with Moses’ agent Isaac Moses.
“Moses is managed by his cousin Isaac…He (Politis) will not do business with Isaac,” Hooper explained. However, the reporter also added that “Knowing the Roosters, if they want to do the deal they find a way.”
It’s too early to say whether Roosters will overcome their issue with the agent. As of right now, Eels plan on keeping Moses.
According to The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis, Eels are not worried about losing Moses right now. “They’ve heard the murmurs, yes. You’d have to have been sitting under a rock to not hear what’s been happening the last few days,” Carayannis said.
“Jason Ryles, from speaking to people at Parramatta, they haven’t heard anything directly at all about this. They’re confident. They are comfortable with the situation.”
